911 briefs -- Published Feb. 13, 2013

JACKSON - An Amador County woman is facing murder charges after her husband died of burn injuries sustained in a fire she allegedly started at a home in Plymouth, authorities said.

The Record

JACKSON - An Amador County woman is facing murder charges after her husband died of burn injuries sustained in a fire she allegedly started at a home in Plymouth, authorities said.

Hein Thi Simmons, 67, was charged with murder last Wednesday, six days after her 76-year-old husband succumbed to his injuries from the fire, officials said. Authorities have not released the man's name.

Simmons was initially arrested Sept. 17 after deputies responded to a report of domestic violence at a home in the 5100 block of Welsh Pond Road in Plymouth, deputies said. She was arrested on suspicion of inflicting traumatic injury upon a spouse or cohabitant, assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm and elder abuse resulting in great bodily injury, authorities said.

An Amador County Superior Court judge issued a restraining order prohibiting Simmons from returning to the residence or making contact with her husband, deputies said. Authorities found she had violated the restraining order when they responded to a report of a fire at the home Sept. 21, officials said. Simmons suffered minor injuries while her husband sustained serious burns in the blaze, deputies said.

Simmons was arrested on suspicion of arson resulting in great bodily injury, aggravated arson and elder abuse resulting in great bodily injury, officials said. Authorities added the murder charge after her husband died Jan. 31 at a Santa Clara County care facility, where he was being treated for extensive burn injuries, deputies said.

STOCKTON - A woman who was bloody and badly injured waved down San Joaquin County sheriff's deputies near the Stockton Verde trailer park in the 5100 block of North Highway 99 East Frontage Road shortly before 8:30 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

The 45-year-old woman told deputies her boyfriend, 47-year-old Thomas Turner, beat her with a baseball bat and bottles over a three-day period, authorities said. Turner threatened to kill the woman if she left the camp where they were living near the overpass at Highway 99 and Wilson Way, deputies said. The woman told deputies she lost consciousness several times but was able to get away. The victim was taken to a hospital with possible fractures to her nose and cheekbone as well as bruises, welts and abrasions on her body, deputies said.

Authorities located Turner about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 4900 block of North Highway 99 East Frontage Road, deputies said. Turner was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment by violence, assault with a deadly weapon with force likely to produce great bodily injury, inflicting corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant and attempted murder, authorities said.

TRACY - The Tracy Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a vehicle that was involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident, authorities said.

A 27-year-old man died of his injuries after being struck about 8:45 p.m. last Wednesday on Schulte Road near Lauriana Lane, police said. The vehicle fled the scene, officers said.

The car was described as a dark-colored, shiny 1990s sedan with tinted windows, a loud exhaust, fog lights and, possibly, front-end damage, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call the Tracy Police Department at (209) 831-6550.

CALAVERAS COUNTY - Authorities in Calaveras County arrested three men and cited 10 others after breaking up an alleged cockfighting ring Friday night in Burson, about four miles west of Valley Springs, officials said.

Calaveras County sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a possible cockfight in the 14000 block of Hunter Road. As deputies converged on a large shop on the property, 35 to 45 people ran toward an exit at the rear of the building, authorities said. Several of those people were detained, officials said.

Deputies arrested Lee Lumactod, 25, and Luis Padilla, Jr., 53, both of Burson, on suspicion of animal cruelty and cockfighting, authorities said. They arrested David Valdez, 29, of North Highlands for public intoxication, being under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance, deputies said. Ten others were also cited for animal cruelty, authorities said.